Magnificat - Evesham to Salisbury 2008

Day 8: Malmesbury to Wootton Bassett

"This day’s walk follows a pleasant rural route passing through small villages and farmland in the morning and with fine views in the afternoon." And we get a lie-in this morning - quite appropriate since in the outside world it is the weekend!

A plan hatched by Peter in the pub last night - but it was Michael who reminded Peter this morning, and a group went swimming in the river before breakfast.

Marie, as usual, making sure we leave the place spic and span.

Rosemary and Clare retrieve their cars from the construction compound where they'd been locked overnight.

Van loading blocked the street!

First stop, Malmesbury Abbey for Holy Communion. This is the high altar.

And this is the highly regarded vaulted ceiling.

Mark makes sure everyone has their ration of hymn books.

Liaison with the local clergy over music.

Impressive reliefs.

Coffee after the service.

The abbey as we leave - in sunshine!

Howard and Theresa pass old buildings on our way out of town.

St. Giles', Lea...

...where Francis led the reflection.

Jack controls the traffic.

John, who joined us in Cirencester, with Jack.

Angela tries to chat up a shy Jersey.

Neville gets a group photo on a bridge

Anne's first off another bridge...

...Mark and Angela follow.

Mark and Ann walk under the railway.

Sue and Joan lead a group of pilgrims around cattle and the mud they've generated in the gateway.

Gill, Derek and Bill follow on.

Do they know that some of the pilgrims are suffering? Lunch at the Volunteer Inn.

Front markers having fun after lunch...

...what goes up must come down!

A clever sign on a church wall.

Howard rests before the afternon prayer stop at St. Peter and St. Paul, Great Somerford

The church has a decorative ceiling.

Leaving the church.

Off across the fields.

...the pack in close order.

A sign of things to come...

Maureen and her "little sister" Ann tackle the muddy paths.

More prayers - St. Michael and All Angels, Brinkworth

Inside the church.

Godwin leads in animated fashion.

Pat faces her new-found fear of mud - only to be startled by Sarah's screams (a foot falling in an inch of water) and step backwards into the mud.

More mud and water on top. Lovely and green!

Angela continues her love affair with cattle.

Find your own way through the mud.

Bill slips and slides through the gateway.

Norma - in WHITE trousers! (And they stayed clean)

As previously mentioned...

The pack on a hillside.

I thought this day was supposed to be flat, but this is clearly a hill.

Bovine pandas? No Belted Galloways!

The front markers lead us on the final leg towards Wootton Bassett.

So here we are - before lights out! Let's get it posted...